'Farrah's Story' Screens To Tears, 'Heavily Medicated' Fawcett Stays Home

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — "Farrah's Story," an unvarnished look at Farrah Fawcett's struggle to overcome cancer with her dignity intact, was shown to a somber audience that included longtime companion Ryan O'Neal.

"This is truly Farrah's evening. She wasn't up to making it, but she's here in spirit," Alana Stewart, a close friend, said in introducing the video diary Wednesday at the Paley Center for Media.

Stewart was a producer on the project, which airs Friday on NBC, and filmed Fawcett as she endured chemotherapy and other grueling treatment. Fawcett was diagnosed in 2006 with anal cancer that has spread to her liver.

Fawcett is doing "OK," a guarded O'Neal said. He's shown in the documentary as a steady presence as the actress goes through highs and lows, although the two ended their long romantic relationship in the late 1990s.

Asked if the former "Charlie's Angels" star was aware of the concern about her, he replied, "I'm gonna tell her."

Jacqueline Bisset, Melanie Griffith and Paul Le Mat, who starred with Fawcett in the 1984 TV movie, "The Burning Bed," attended the screening that drew applause and tears.

In an interview earlier Wednesday, O'Neal said he planned to watch Friday's broadcast (9 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT) with Fawcett at her Los Angeles home.

"She's heavily medicated," O'Neal, 68, said. "We're going to take some of these medications down so she's lucid and sharp to watch herself. I think she'll take great pride in this."

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Fawcett, 62, is in a "very rocky place," O'Neal said. "We put on a brave front, always, when we're with her. She doesn't know how scared we are."

In the film, he expresses concern about how the loss of Fawcett would affect their son, Redmond O'Neal, 24, just admitted into a court-ordered drug program.

The documentary is unsparing but infused with Fawcett's grit and good humor as she faces pain, setbacks and, as the treatments grow harsher, the loss of her trademark lush blond locks.

"If you liked her, you're gonna love her" after seeing the film, said O'Neal.

Fawcett shares intimate thoughts in the documentary about her illness, the tabloid that stripped away her privacy and the paparazzi that bedevil her.

"I do not want to die of this disease. So I say to God, `It is seriously time for a miracle,'" Fawcett says.

The actress, so identified with glamorous Hollywood make-believe in her frothy 1970s TV show, is bringing the cold slap of true reality to TV. But fiction and fact can't help but mingle.

At one point, when German doctors seem to have made a breakthrough for Fawcett, a tearful, smiling O'Neal says, "I thought I was in another `Love Story' movie" _ a reference to the 1970 film in which he plays a young husband who loses his wife to illness.

"Farrah's Story" started out as a personal record, intended as a "success story" for family viewing, O'Neal said, and to keep track of her treatment.

Although a private person, Fawcett realized her experience could inspire others, Stewart said in an interview.

"Farrah's Story" will show her "incredible strength," Stewart said. "Her big message to people is don't give up, no matter what they say to you, keep fighting."

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Comments

[LMPE]

Can we treat her like a human being and not as something to stare at?

[ywcachieve]

What are you talking about? Nobody is staring at her.

As for the documentary, she made that for us to see.

[SunnyT]

What's terribly distressing is that Farrah is dying too soon and has spent her last few years enduring the barbaric torture of the ignorant medical establishment. There is a way to live completely healthy and vibrant into old age and prevent cancer. That way is free and easy: provide the body with the simple basics that it needs, and it won't destroy itself with disease. Of course, nobody can profit from that except those of us who choose personal responsibility and sanity in our own healthcare. I hope that Farrah's story will give someone the miracle-making clue that there has to be a better way!

[happycat]

Your advice is fine and dandy, SunnyT, but Farrah ate right and exercised. Getting cancer was not any fault of her own. What are you suggesting that we do to prevent cancer? Sounds like you know something that we mere mortals do not.

[SunnyT]

No, exactly, cancer isn't anybody's fault. My mother suffered from cancer; however, she died from the chemotherapy.

From what I've heard and read over the years, I believe that Farrah lead a conventionally healthy lifestyle, which includes eating right and exercising. But even more basic to our survival and health are the two missing ingredients, water and salt. The information is free on the Internet. Google water cure and especially water cure 2. The research was done by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, known as "Dr. Batman," author of several books on the subject including, "You're Not Sick, You're Thirsty" and "Your Body's Many Cries For Water." His books are interesting, although somewhat technical, so the information available on the Internet should be enough to solve nearly any problem of disease, including cancer.

The information is just as applicable to our pets, especially for arthritis conditions. I have one happy, healthy dog and four healthy "happy cats."

Best wishes!

[harriettubman]

That sounds good but you can eat healthy, jog every day and still get a terminal illness or be hit by a bus.

[landoffools]

"Farrah's Story" ???

Oh Christ !!!

A story of a blond, highly overpaid, no talent actress who now has cancer !
American's love this crap !

[happycat]

"No Talent" You've got it so wrong. Go start with "The Burning Bed." She was a spectacular actress when she was given a good role.

[Terry Pennisi]

How sad that ANY human could elicit such venom at a time like this! You must be a real humanitarian!

[lillibelle]

Santa's going to put coal in your stocking, for sure!

Farrah was a very talented athlete, as well as an accomplished artist. Did you ever see her sculptures?

[happycat]

Thank you, Lillibelle.Farah is one heck of a talented artist. I am amazed by some of the beautiful sculptures she made.

[JumpingCholla]

Feel better now?

[ywcachieve]

landoffools...you are wrong.

Farrah is an outstanding actor. Have you seen her work? If you have you would not be saying this.

Farrah is one of the greats as for acting is concerned.

[Willow712]

I'm a hospice nurse. And from what I'm reading, everyone around her is giving her hope and telling her to fight on. On the surface, it sounds good. But if they are going to decrease her medications so she can watch this without being snowed under, she is moving forward in the dying process. Its time for her loved ones to tell her what is really going on. They are denying her the chance to come to terms with the end of her life. I am sure she knows, she's not a stupid woman. But when everyone is giving you cheerleading and hope, you have a difficulty coming to acceptance and reality. Reality is she is in the dying process and should not be denied the opportunity to say her goodbyes and discuss what will happen after she's gone. Many people get a lot of comfort from that. You can organize your funeral, leave loving letters for everyone in your life, say your goodbyes. There's a line that you cross only when you are terminal. Pep talks and hope are meaningless. While I'm happy that she has loving people around her, she should have the opportunity to move through the grief of a terminal illness.

[omobob]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I watched my father die from melanoma. Two and one half years of pain, suffering and agony. It doesn’t sound much like living to me. A doctor once told me, "There are 5 types of cancer we can cure". he said, " All the rest will kill you". It is the medical profession’s job to keep you alive. It is the job of those who love you to help you die.

[PengieP]

5 types that we can cure, all the rest will kill you? Geez, what a quack that guy is. All of them can kill you, some treatments can result in a long term remission indistiguishable from a cure, and some treatments can keep the cancer from killing you before you die of something else. I personally know someone who died from cervical cancer- who nobody is supposed to die from, I know someone who had lung cancer (which you are supposed to die from )30 years ago who's still around with no sign of lung cancer and I know people with lymphoma that died 10 years later, and some people whose lymphoma spontaneously "went away". So there's all sorts of stuff that can happen, not all of it bad.

[Ramius]

Quite frankly, if she agreed to this being released I think she knows and they've discussed her situation. I think they're releasing it now, because they want to do so before she goes.

I don't understand why you're presuming that she doesn't know, or that they are fooling her in anyway. When they refer to "not giving up"... I think they're referring to her overall struggle.

[Lori Nelson]

Willow, I could not agree with you more. I also work for hospice as a volunteer but do spiritual counseling as well. I know that Farrah is a spiritual person and it hurts me to think of how much grace, resolution and peace she may miss out on while fighting on so valiantly. So much soul growth occurs during the acceptance phase and is so important in easing the fear of death, not just for her but for her family. As we hospice folks know, death can be oneof life's most beautiful and loving experiences, the fullness and culmination of life instead of its tragic ending. I pray that she is given the chance to move through the process without feeling the pressure to be so strong and brave for others.

[ywcachieve]

Willow..Let them cheer her own, for pete's sake. What business is it of yours.

All those around her are handling it beautifully.

[papa1893]

You are so right. The people that make these kinds of movies for these celebrities should have shown the day to day living that is realistic and that nurtures.

[Bigunsmom]

Will not watch. I agree that this is in very poor taste. God Bless You, Farrah.

[twoopeneyes]

It's bizarre. On par with Katie Couric's colonoscopy on TV.

[mckatt]

Katie Corics colonoscopy has probably saved alot of lives by taking the fearaway many people who might not have called their doctor and scheduled a colonoscopy did..I was one of them!

[MMB]

I ca'nt put my finger on it, but I find showing of this documentary while Farrah is living yet so close to the her end as alleged, to be in poor taste

Anyone who has been touched by cancer first hand or a loved one, knows how scary, painful, desperate and peaceful times can be. These very personal moments are just that, very personal moments.

Life gets mighty complicated and sooner or later all of us will be faced with something horrible to deal with, I don't think we need a made for tv documentary to show us how. We all do things in our own way, live and die and I guess this is her way. I wish her peace and to be painfree.

[harriettubman]

I agree. I could see filming the beginning and the alternative treatment, just for herself but to show the world?!!!

[ywcachieve]

If you guys do not think it was something you want to see, then don't watch it. Why come on this blog an complain about something that you did not have to watch.

I was very touched by it. I am glad they aired it.

[RearViewMirror]

I'll watch the show tomorrow when it airs. But perhaps what most who've commented here - are missing/avoiding most; is the greater lesson of a Hollywood star's decision to share with all - HER end of life's journey from a most insiduous disease. It's NOT about her fame, her hair, her troubled relationship with O'Neal or son. It's about individual choices.

It's about breaking through and beyond the 'scary' but inevitable journey that we all must encounter. She chose to inform and enlighten others. It's also aboutt he desperate means and medicines that we'll take to prolong life - once confronted with the same crossroad. Whether it is us - or a dear loved one.

I feel Farrah and family should be lauded at every instance for their fortitude and willingness to pull back death's veil and speak profoundly about it. What is there not to learn about our own lives - after all's this one documentary is said and done?

Remember, Betty Ford lifted the veil on breast cancer and addictions long before the general public was allowed, OR willing to discuss it outside their own homes.

GO in peace, Farrah.
And,T

[harriettubman]

Farrah is sedated. Who says she wanted this aired?

[ywcachieve]

She said she wanted it aired.

[franksters]

Uh, she decided to release this a while back if you had been following her story.

[toppergem]

Wishing Farrah nothing but the best. I am praying for her.

[textynn]

Farrah you should find yourself a healer. Self healing can be taught and can be used with other healing methods. The first step is to believe in your ability to heal and see yourself well. This technique seems simplistic but is key to healing. There are many good books . Start with the whole Louise Hay series. Heavy reading includes Evolve Your Brain by Dr. Joe Dispenza and The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton. Lipton's book is hella dull giving long explanations about cells and experiments but offers the proof that belief in one's ability to heal one's self is a real measurable healing technique. These books give the science to back Spiritual beliefs dismissed as unscientific. Open your heart to your ability to heal yourself.

[rini]

I am not saying that the mind cannot affect the body at all. But belief that you can get better and mental imagery cannot do everything. I think it is wrong to make people think that they wouldn't have to die if they just had the right attitude or used the right technique. Advanced colon cancer and anal cancer rarely regress. The survival rate is dismal. If those techniques work, they may be useful in preventative care and chronic diseases, not end stage metastatic cancer.

[CaliforniaGirl]

I am so very sorry for Farrah and her pain and suffering. I shall not be watching this show on her cancer struggle...I would prefer to watch her brightest moments on celluloid to remember her best....

[xpub63]

I still have the original poster, as I saved it to show my grandchildren who grandpa had a crush on. Much peace to you

[jeanrenoir]

The absurdly maudlin gaping at poor Farah is like the idiotic respoonses of victims of tornadoes who always act shocked that a tornado appeared, when in fact they roll through the same state year after year, and the new victims were watching their neighbors in shock a year before on TV. Cancer is everywhere; nothing special about it just because a woman used to be beautiful. It's called the human condition. Why can't Americans ever grow up? They're just absolutely, constitutionally incapable of facing reality, except on TV.

[JoandeV]

It's a real shame that the best comments you could muster are veiled excuses to disrespect Americans. It really says far more about you, jeanrenoir, than it does about Americans. I've traveled to other countries (Europe, Africa, the Americas) and have friendships with people from all over the world. I have found that frailties and foibles are universal.

While I agree that the proper response to Ms. Fawcett's situation is to wish her the best and to give her the privacy that she deserves, I also understand that she is the one who chose to document her own struggle. This then brings it into the public sphere. Those of us who comment either on the disease or who pause to remember Farrah in better times have nothing to be ashamed of.

[krossy88]

This comment is ignorance at its best! Random and disconnected too-thanks for the laugh. You've got us Americans figured out!!!

[mckatt]

Really jeanrenoir..why are you even on this message board..what a cold hearted and callous attitude you seem to have..I repeat..do not watch it then!!
Whatis up with these hateful people??WTF?? Indeed!!

[franksters]

If you find this all so maudlin, why did you bother to click on this story, and furthermore, add a comment? Why not just MYOB? This was far from reality TV, and you are quite shallow.

[dgscol]

Yes, love story has two endings. Ali got one and Farrah, the other.

[mayan2012]

in the lime light until the last breath...?